LONDON, ONT.—If this were another regime, another era, Maple Leaf fans would be worried that a pair of first-round picks from three — count ’em, three — drafts ago hadn’t yet played in the NHL.

But because of the patience shown by GM Dave Nonis, winger Tyler Biggs and defenceman Stuart Percy are somehow managing to avoid the incessant chatter and constant spotlight that comes with being first-round picks of the Leafs.

But that’s about to change.

Both are going to make the leap to being full-time pros, most likely with the Toronto Marlies by the time Leaf training camp ends.

“It’s time for him (Percy) to take the next step in his development, to take charge in the game,” said Marlies coach Steve Spott, who’s coaching Leaf prospects in a four-day camp here in London. “It’s going to be an important week for him as well.

“Same goes for Biggs. I think he’s ready for the next step. I think he’s excited about it.”

The two — Biggs was picked 20th overall in 2011, Percy 25th — may well have been passed on the depth chart by Morgan Rielly, chosen fifth overall in 2012. Maybe that’s helped them develop under the radar, away from the spotlight.

But the Leafs — a franchise famed for rushing youngsters into the lineup — are showing a kind of patience they’re not known for.

“It just goes back to development based on where your level of development is,” said Percy. “I read something (assistant GM) Dave Poulin said, that even though you might be ready to maybe play in the NHL, it’s better to dominate in the AHL.

“There is definitely no rush, but if you’re ready I guess you’re going to play.”

If Percy is guilty of not developing quickly enough, it’s possibly because he failed to stand out in junior. Spott cut him last year from Team Canada’s world junior team (a spot taken by Rielly).

“He is such a good player, but he has to challenge himself to be better every day,” said Spott. “He’s a first-round pick. He’s a player that there are high expectations for.

“He’s got to find that battle level, that compete level every night to separate himself.”

Percy may well have stagnated in junior. There is a sense — or maybe it’s a hope — within the organization that Percy, a cerebral player, will perform at a higher level when playing with better players. That was evident on Thursday night, when the pairing of Percy and Petter Granberg outplayed the Blackhawks. The pair set up the game’s first goal, on the power play.

“For me it just goes back to my smarts,” said Percy. “If I know where our forwards are running routes, I can find them easily. That just goes back to coaching and familiarity.

While Percy will play to his strengths — skating, puck movement — as a pro, Biggs will have a bigger adjustment. He was a pretty good scorer in junior, but he’s seen as a more physical guy at the pro level. More like a power forward.

“Tyler has always been the goal-scorer, the offensive player, the top-line right winger,” said Spott. “Here he’s going to have to transform his game a little bit and find that physical element.”

Biggs understands that.

“I’ve been working really hard on some of my weaknesses,” said Biggs. “Trying to get bigger and stronger.

“I want my skating to get better. For me, I want to be able to protect the puck a little bit better. I want to be looked at as a guy you can’t take the puck off of. I think I’m on my way there.”

So far, 14 players drafted ahead of Biggs and eight picked after Percy have made it to the NHL.

The Leafs believe both will get there eventually.

“They are 20-year-olds,” said Poulin. “You still have to respect that. They’re going to have their first taste of pro hockey (this season). We expecting big things from them. We want them to continue to get better. We’re not putting any pressure on them.”

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.